Steelers mock draft: Pittsburgh fills in the gaps after free agency frenzy

Steelers mock draft round 3: WR Jayden Reed

The Pittsburgh Steelers usually seem to have a specific type of player they look for in an 'X' receiver, and with the way that Diontae Johnson digressed in 2022, their top pass-catcher could be out the door as early as the start of the 2024 offseason. If Khan misses out on Jordan Addison early in the draft, he could get the Great Value Brand version of that player in Jayden Reed.

Reed has remarkably similar size and athletic traits to Addison, and both players win with plus route running and well-rounded football ability. Reed also comes from a school that the Steelers have dipped into often in the past with players like CB Justin Layne and TE Connor Heyward.

The Steelers have a developing future number-one receiver in George Pickens, and it's possible that Johnson could play more like he did in the first half of the 2021 season next year. Meanwhile, fourth-round pick Calvin Austin III is set to return from IR and compete for slot duties with Anthony Miller, who is also returning from a season-ending injury.

Still, the depth is pretty weak here, and they need a backup who can learn the 'X' position in the event of an injury to Johnson or if the Steelers decide that they need to move on. Reed could be a sneaky pick in the mid-rounds who could have a good NFL career in the right situation.